Discover A Modern Take on a Traditional Craft at the Quilter’s Bolt

Photo Karen Graham.
Kate DeKlerck holds up an example of a Village Quilt that demonstrates Kate’s modern take on quilting, featuring a wide variety of colourful fabrics using the traditional flying geese pattern. This pattern is the subject of an upcoming workshop at the store.

You might perceive quilting as a creative and relaxing pastime, a throw back reminiscent of the slower pace of times past.  That might be true for many, but not for Quilter’s Bolt owner Kate DeKlerck.  A wife and mother of two daughters ages 8 and 10, she owns and operates a lovely retail store in town and while her family sleeps she produces as many as four quilts per month.  She must have bionic fingers.

It will be four years ago this March that she took the plunge and opened her lovely retail store.  It was a familiar spot, having housed another quilting shop where Kate had worked for several years prior to its owners’ retirement.  Before that, Kate worked in the childcare industry while fueling her quilting passion in her spare time.  (Think 3 am)

Kate describes her store as a brick and mortar shop for Canadian fabric lovers.  Being one herself, her store boasts an ever increasing fabric inventory to inspire her clients.   Her own projects reflect her knack for contrasting traditional design with modern fabric and bold colours.  The fabrics in her shop tend to reflect that preference that is attractive to today’s quilters.  Her customers tend to be younger or middle aged women with time at home to dedicate to their craft.  At the shop, they are encouraged to explore their own creative inclinations; Kate tells them that there are no rules in quilting and their goal is to make something that speaks to their hearts.

Kate particularly enjoys helping customers with fabric and colour selection, and for those needing more direction, the shop offers a wide variety of quilting classes every month delivered by Kate and three other instructors.  Groups of up to four participants are led through projects such as wallets and tote bags where instruction can be completed in a single class or longer projects such as upholstered footstools and the popular quilt block of the month.  Larger projects include mini-quilt classes completed over three classes or full-size quilts completed over several months.

For those who would like to share their passion in a less structured environment, the store also hosts sewing parties  Kate describes as “open-sew” events where participants bring their own projects and work alongside fellow quilters sharing conversation, snacks and ideas.

Finished piecework often finds its way to a neighbouring shop- Kawartha Quilting and Sewing Ltd., where the Skjavelands can assemble the quilt layers with sophisticated quilting patterns with their computerized quilting equipment.

Rather than resent the business due to the amount of their mother’s time it absorbs, Kate’s daughters are inspired by it and frequently express their interest in participating.  The more practical daughter prepares scrap bags for sale in the shop, while the younger expressive sibling has offered to share her glitter decorating skills in her own classes.

One of the most successful marketing thrusts for this charming retailer has been participation in Shop Hops.  These are co-operative outreach events where firms in geographic proximity offering related and even competing products band together to create a shopping event targeted at a specific audience.   The store participated in three of them this year, with significant results.

Because she didn’t have enough to do, last month Kate joined the Millbrook Business Improvement Area Committee after spending months organizing a very successful Christmas in the Village event.  This talented and hard-working retailer provides an impressive role model for her daughters as she navigates the challenges of balancing her many personal and professional responsibilities with grace and good humour.  To find your own fabric inspiration, visit the Quilter’s Bolt on King St. or its website at www.thequiltersbolt.com.  KG

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